I Had A Life-Changing Ice Cream Pie From This Sanford, Maine Restaurant

If there’s one dessert in Maine people can’t stop talking about right now, it might just be the ice cream pies from Shain's of Maine Ice Cream.

“My pregnant butt needs this now!”

“They’re absolutely incredible. The cookie dough one is absolutely insane.”

Those are just a few of the reactions flooding social media from customers who have discovered what many are calling the ultimate ice cream obsession. And as someone who has actually tried their Cookie Dough Icecream Pie, I can tell you right now that they aren't lying!

Known for homemade ice cream and wildly creative flavors, Shain’s has become a Sanford staple for more than four decades. What started as a small roadside vegetable stand in the late 1960s eventually grew into one of southern Maine’s most beloved family-run food destinations. But lately, it’s their signature ice cream pies stealing the spotlight.

And honestly? One look at these things explains why.

The pies come packed with massive flavor combinations like Whoopie Pie, Tornado, Cookie Dough, and Black Raspberry Cookies & Cream- all layered into rich, creamy frozen desserts.

These aren’t your average grocery store ice cream cakes. They’re thick, homemade, loaded with mix-ins, and the kind of dessert people willingly drive across state lines for. I'm serious....

But the creativity at Shain’s doesn’t stop there.

If you make the trip to their Sanford location, you can also order ice cream nachos. Yes, you read that right. Ice cream nachos! They include homemade waffle cone chips, two scoops of ice cream, and a side of hot fudge for dipping. It’s the kind of menu item that sounds ridiculous until you try it once and suddenly understand the hype.

As someone who has personally fallen into a full-blown addiction to these pies, I can confidently say this: once you try one, you’ll immediately start figuring out where to get your next fix.

And luckily, you don’t always have to drive to Sanford to find them.

Shain’s ice cream pies have popped up at several well-known New England spots, including Tuckaway Tavern & Butchery, JB Butcher, and Wicked Good Butchah.

READ MORE: This Hidden Gem NH Food Truck With A Heart Is Helping Feed Its Community

One thing’s for sure, Maine has plenty of great ice cream spots, but Shain’s has found a way to turn dessert into a memorable treat.